Interview CJ Seventy

Driven by grit, honesty, and purpose, CJ Seventy blend hard rock attitude with uplifting messages. This interview explores perseverance, vulnerability, evolution, and the echoes shaping their powerful music today now.

1. CJ Seventy is often described as more than a band—a movement. When did you realize your music carried a message beyond just sound?

That vision was there from the very beginning. I’d spent years touring alongside bands where the focus was always the same—drugs, excess drinking, and chasing whatever came next. I lived around that long enough to see how empty it could be. While I’m still unapologetically rock ’n’ roll, I made a conscious decision to shake those other demons. CJ Seventy became about creating music that lifts people up instead of dragging them down. I wanted the songs to inspire, to connect, and to show that you can have power, grit, and passion without glorifying destructive behavior.

2. Your core philosophy centers on perseverance and fighting for what matters. How do you translate that mindset into lyrics without losing the raw edge of hard rock and punk?

I don’t have to try to keep it raw—because it’s real. Every lyric comes from lived experience: something I went through myself, something someone close to me faced, or something pulled straight from what’s happening around us right now. I’ve spent most of my life surrounded by the ugly side of society, and I see my role as a songwriter as holding up a mirror to that reality. When the truth is honest and unfiltered, the edge takes care of itself. That’s where hard rock and punk thrive—right in the middle of real struggle and real perseverance.

3. Songs like “I Need You So” and “Pin Up Girl” show different emotional sides of the band. How do you balance vulnerability and attitude in your songwriting?

I’ve taken the filter off—and I think that’s what really connects with people. We all play different roles in our own life stories, and I don’t believe songwriting should be limited to just anger, politics, or always wearing the tough-guy mask. If something good or meaningful is happening, I want the freedom to express that too. Vulnerability doesn’t weaken the attitude—it adds to it. To me, real strength in rock music comes from being honest enough to show every side, not just the armor.

4. CJ Seventy Vol. 2 – Where the Echo Lives feels powerful and reflective. What does “the echo” represent for you personally and as a band?

Wow, great question! “The echo” represents that strange moment we’re living in now—where everyone is talking, especially in the age of social media, but not many people are truly listening. As CJ Seventy grew and the noise around us got louder, I started to feel like the message in the music was bouncing off the back wall, echoing back instead of landing. That doesn’t mean the songs lack power—there’s strong musicianship and hooks—but I also wonder how deeply people are digging beneath the surface. There are a lot of hidden meanings woven into the lyrics beyond the storytelling. Take our recent release “Fade,” for example: the line “Broken blackbird, you’re hard to win” refers to someone who quietly leaves a relationship or situation without explanation—fading into themselves.

5. How has your sound evolved since your early releases while staying true to your roots?

The biggest evolution has been maturity—both in the songwriting and the musicianship. We’ve grown more confident in who we are and more intentional about how we deliver it. With that growth has also come better production (thankfully—we can finally afford it now, haha), along with a stronger team behind the scenes. Bringing in the right production people and SEO support has helped us communicate more clearly with fans without losing the raw spirit that defines our roots. At the core, it’s still CJ Seventy—just sharper, louder, and more focused.

6. Your music and lyric videos play a big role in storytelling. How important is the visual side when conveying the emotion behind your songs?

The visual side is huge for us. I’ve always been involved in video production, but with CJ Seventy we pushed it to another level because we see it as core to how the band connects with people. We’re living in a video-driven era, especially on social media, where emotion and story hit faster when you can see them. But more than that, video lets us communicate directly with our fans—no filters, no middlemen. It’s the closest thing to standing face-to-face and sharing what the song really means.

7. You’re present on more than 56 platforms—how do you stay connected to fans without losing the underground, personal feel?

We actually have a lot of fun with it. Being on that many platforms doesn’t mean we’re disconnected—it’s the opposite. Between the different media outlets and store managers, we’ve built a network that helps us stay in constant communication with fans instead of talking at them. No matter how wide the reach gets, we keep it personal by staying hands-on and present. The underground feel comes from that direct connection—real conversations, real feedback, and no walls between us and the people supporting the music.

8. Late-night studio sessions are mentioned often in your story. Can you share a moment from the studio that truly shaped a CJ Seventy track?

Those late-night sessions are where the real work happens. When everything is quiet and the distractions fall away, it feels like there’s a direct line between me, the fans, and my Maker. In those moments, I don’t overthink or censor anything—I just let the truth flow. I don’t edit myself until the next morning, when we listen back together as a band. That balance—raw honesty at night and perspective in the daylight—has shaped some of the most honest CJ Seventy tracks we’ve ever recorded.

9. What does success mean to CJ Seventy today: numbers, impact, or something else entirely?

Success for us isn’t about numbers alone—it’s about impact. If even one person hears our music and it helps them get through a moment or see their situation differently, that’s enough for me. I’m grateful that I get to do what I love and share it honestly. As long as the bills are paid and the music keeps reaching people, I don’t measure success by getting rich—I measure it by making something that actually matters.

10. For listeners discovering CJ Seventy for the first time, what do you hope they take with them after the last note fades?

I hope they walk away feeling understood—like they’re not alone in whatever they’re carrying. If the last note fades and they feel a little stronger, a little more hopeful, or more willing to keep fighting, then the music did its job.

CJ Seventy

Fade – CJ Seventy | Official Video | Hard Rock / Indie Rock  

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